Unless people know the God who has made them, and want to be at peace with Him, they have no understanding of the real purpose of life … and so they play games.  That may seem an extraordinary statement, as we know many who do not believe in Jesus and yet live good and productive lives, serving their families and community.  But there is a far higher purpose to life than survival and service: it is to intentionally bring glory to God and to enjoy His love for eternity (1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11).

The people, around Jesus, were doing what their religion demanded but had no intimate relationship with Father God because they did not welcome Jesus (John 5:39).  So Jesus said that they were like children playing games in the street.  ‘Playing the pipe’, was playing weddings; ‘singing dirges’, was playing funerals.  Imitating those religious ceremonies could not make them holy.  John the Baptist did not play religious games.  He fasted and led a simple life … but some of them thought he was demonised because he was too serious and could not enjoy life.  He preached repentance and only baptised those who repented of their sins so that they could be ready to meet God (Matthew 3:4-8).

Jesus did not play games either.  When He accepted invitations to dinner parties with undesirable people, religious leaders despised Him.  But He was genuinely glad that sinful people wanted Him to come to them and listen to the gospel from His lips.  John was proved right - repentance is the essential prelude to forgiveness and salvation (Luke 24:46-47).  And Jesus was right too: showing that He welcomed sinners because only He could save them from their sins - when they do, even the angels rejoice (Luke 15:7).

The Christian life is not another set of religious rites and rules which are played out; it is a relationship with the Living God.  It is right to mourn over our sin (Matthew 5:4); it is also right to rejoice over our salvation (Isaiah 25:9).  Following Jesus is not a game to impress other believers or even the world - it is a serious and yet joyful relationship with our Creator.  So, stop playing games!  Who do you impress?  God sees everything and knows every motive (1 Peter 3:12).  A real relationship with Jesus can get you into trouble with the world (as John the Baptist found out), but it will get a fine reward in heaven.  So live in the light of your face-to-face meeting with Jesus.